World Refugee Day

[UmmSqueakster 54]

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/events?id=3e7f46e04

Throughout their long and daunting journey from oppression and persecution to asylum and protection, and eventually to a place they can call home, refugees show incredible strength, courage and determination. Their journey is a dangerous and arduous one and every day spent in exile is a day too long.

But in every step of their journey refugees carry with them an unshakable, unrelenting hope. By hanging on to their hopes for basic survival, sustenance and protection, and for the chance to one day rebuild their lives, refugees defy all odds. As the UN Refugee Agency we continue to be impressed by the tenacious hopefulness of refugees which, in turn, motivates us to leave no stone unturned in the fulfillment of our mandate, to protect them and to find durable solutions to their plight.

On World Refugee Day, we ask you to remember the millions of refugees under our care who are trying to pick up the pieces of once-peaceful lives. As different as they are from each other, one thing connects them all: hope for a better future and a chance to restore lasting peace to their lives.

Help us keep that flame of hope alive!

Latest Statistics: 20.8 million

Latest statistics indicate that of the 20.8 million people of concern:

8.4 million are refugees who have fled their countries due to civil wars and ethnic, tribal and religious violence and who cannot return home

6.6 million are internally displaced persons - people forced to flee their homes, but who have not crossed a border

2.4 million are stateless people

1.6 million are returnees

773,000 are asylum seekers

960,000 are others of concern

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thank you for reminding us of those who do not have the luxury of choosing an immigration route for their future; who are forced through circumstances away from home and often family just to survive; and who through no fault of their own find themselves, bereft of everything, cast upon the fickle good will of others as they try and find some sort of new life.

I have been fortunate enough in my life to know a number of people who arrived in Canada as refugees from War, from terror, and from hatred. They have taught me how to recognize how fortunate I truly am, and I am grateful that I have never had to deal with the real hardships they have faced. To an individual, they are strong, grateful, productive, generous and caring individuals who have made good lives in their new home and have never forgotten either the price they had to pay to get here, nor those who reached out to help them on their journey. They have my utmost respect.

Edited June 20, 2006 by Kathryn41